The role of surveillance systems in assessing health inequalities and prevention needs in migrants
Abstract
Background: Population surveillance is a key public health tool to monitor health determinants and guide prevention policies. In Italy, PASSI (18–69 y) and PASSI d’Argento (65+ y) collect data on behavioural risk factors, health status, and access to services, including migrants.
Methods: Data from PASSI and PASSI d’Argento were analysed to identify health profiles, inequalities, and prevention needs among migrants, compared with Italian residents, with analyses by area of origin and length of stay.
Results: Migrants account for about 7% of the PASSI and PASSI d’Argento samples and represent a relatively stable population, with over 70% residing in Italy for more than 10 years. According to surveillance inclusion criteria, they are registered in the National Health Service and health registries, thus representing a relatively well-integrated subgroup. Overall, behavioural risk factors among migrants are similar to Italians (e.g. smoking 23% vs 24%; overweight/obesity 45% vs 43%), but differences emerge. Migrants report lower sedentary behaviour (22% vs 28%) and lower habitual alcohol consumption (47% vs 59%). However, marked heterogeneity exists by area of origin and duration of residence. The prevalence of self-reported diabetes among adult migrants is around 5–6%, but is significantly higher among those from high migratory pressure countries compared to Italians with similar socio-demographic characteristics, and increases with longer residence. This pattern reflects a progressive convergence toward less favourable risk profiles and a potential loss of the initial health advantage (“healthy migrant effect”). Despite their integration, migrants experience greater socioeconomic disadvantage and barriers in accessing preventive services.
Conclusions: Population surveillance systems are essential to uncover heterogeneity within migrant populations, capture dynamic processes and support the development of targeted, more inclusive and culturally appropriate interventions.
Key messages: • Surveillance data highlight persistent inequalities and barriers to prevention among migrants, calling for more equitable and culturally appropriate health services.
• Migrant health changes over time, with loss of initial advantage and rising chronic risks, underscoring the need for tailored prevention strategies.
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BibTeX
@article{contoli2026role,
title = {{The role of surveillance systems in assessing health inequalities and prevention needs in migrants}},
author = {B Contoli and V Minardi and F Asta and V Possenti and S Lana and M Masocco},
journal = {The European Journal of Public Health},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1093/eurpub/ckag169.1887},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1093/eurpub/ckag169.1887},
note = {CC BY-NC 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - The role of surveillance systems in assessing health inequalities and prevention needs in migrants
AU - B Contoli
AU - V Minardi
AU - F Asta
AU - V Possenti
AU - S Lana
AU - M Masocco
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/01
JO - The European Journal of Public Health
DO - 10.1093/eurpub/ckag169.1887
UR - https://doi.org/10.1093/eurpub/ckag169.1887
AB - Background: Population surveillance is a key public health tool to monitor health determinants and guide prevention policies. In Italy, PASSI (18–69 y) and PASSI d’Argento (65+ y) collect data on behavioural risk factors, health status, and access to services, including migrants. Methods: Data from PASSI and PASSI d’Argento were analysed to identify health profiles, inequalities, and prevention needs among migrants, compared with Italian residents, with analyses by area of origin and length of stay. Results: Migrants account for about 7% of the PASSI and PASSI d’Argento samples and represent a relatively stable population, with over 70% residing in Italy for more than 10 years. According to surveillance inclusion criteria, they are registered in the National Health Service and health registries, thus representing a relatively well-integrated subgroup. Overall, behavioural risk factors among migrants are similar to Italians (e.g. smoking 23% vs 24%; overweight/obesity 45% vs 43%), but differences emerge. Migrants report lower sedentary behaviour (22% vs 28%) and lower habitual alcohol consumption (47% vs 59%). However, marked heterogeneity exists by area of origin and duration of residence. The prevalence of self-reported diabetes among adult migrants is around 5–6%, but is significantly higher among those from high migratory pressure countries compared to Italians with similar socio-demographic characteristics, and increases with longer residence. This pattern reflects a progressive convergence toward less favourable risk profiles and a potential loss of the initial health advantage (“healthy migrant effect”). Despite their integration, migrants experience greater socioeconomic disadvantage and barriers in accessing preventive services. Conclusions: Population surveillance systems are essential to uncover heterogeneity within migrant populations, capture dynamic processes and support the development of targeted, more inclusive and culturally appropriate interventions. Key messages: • Surveillance data highlight persistent inequalities and barriers to prevention among migrants, calling for more equitable and culturally appropriate health services. • Migrant health changes over time, with loss of initial advantage and rising chronic risks, underscoring the need for tailored prevention strategies.
SN - 1101-1262
SN - 1464-360X
ER -